Device for aligning work



Dec. 7, 1965 J. c. BICKFORD 3,221,411

DEVICE FOR ALIGNING WORK Filed Sept. 5, 1963 400. 33 401:. I36 1 260 M IIIIIIIIIIIII! r I I H Vr Ila l 25% i -|3a W413 l6 16a 16 15 16 A El E INVENTOR JOHN C. B/CK FORD 16 BY j w. MW

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,221,411 DEVIQE FOR ALIGNING WORK John C. Biclrford, 661 Santa Coleta Court, Sunnyvale, Calif. Filed Sept. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 305,977 5 Claims. (Cl. 33-171) The present invention relates in general to gauges and more particularly to a device for aligning work with tools.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for aligning sheet metal to be bent by forrn tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitating the aligning of sheet metal to be bent by form tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that reduces setup time for sheet metal to be bent by form tools with improved accuracy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for simplifying the setting up of sheet metal to be bent by form tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved gauge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a precision gauge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for aligning work with tools that include a selfadjusting support arrangement for mounting onto a bar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for aligning sheet metal to be bent by form tools that include a stop that automatically moves with the sheet metal as the sheet metal is bent.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention for aligning sheet metal to be bent by form tools.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view partially in elevation taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the device of the present invention for aligning sheet metal to be bent by form tools. In practice, two devices 10 are employed by an operator in the aligning of the sheet metal to be bent by form tools.

The device 10 comprises a rectangular base 11 made of suitable rigid material, such as cast iron. Depending from the base 11 are transversely spaced ears 12 and 13, which are formed with suitable openings 12a and 13a, respectively. Received by the openings 12a and 13a of the ears 12 and 13, respectively, is a shaft 15. Mounted on the shaft 15 for pivotal movement thereabout is a bar clamping member 16. The bar clamping member 16 has a U-shaped channel cross-sectional area and is made of suitable rigid material, such as steel. Formed in the upstanding sides of the clamping member 16 are suitable transversely aligned openings, which receive the shaft 15, thereby enabling the clamping member 16 to be pivotal relative to the shaft 15.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clamping member 16 includes a section 16a that is manually actuated for pivoting the clamping member 16 relative to the base 11. At an opposite end, the clamping member 16 includes a bar engaging section or clip 16b. Interposed between the manually operable section 16a and the portion of the base 11 thereabove is a spring 25 that continuously urges the bar engaging section 16b toward the base 11 or in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. Projections or bosses 11a and 160 (FIG. 2) on the base 11 and clamping member 16, respectively, serve to main- 'ice tain the spring 25 in its proper position. If desirable, the ends of the spring 25 could be welded in engagement with the base 11 and the clamping member 16.

For mounting the device 10 onto a bar, such as the bar A in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operator engages manually the section 16a of the clamping member 16 for pivoting the same clockwise about the shaft 15 as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 against the urgency of the spring 25. This action moves the section 16b of the clamping member 16 away from the base 11 and into a position parallel thereto. Thereupon, the device 10 is positioned so that the lower surface of the body 11 engages the upper surface of the bar A and the reduced height sides of the section 1617 engage the lower surface of the bar A. The operator new releases the section 16a of the clamping member 16 and the spring 25 with the clip 16b retains the device 10 secured to the bar A.

From the foregoing arrangement, it is to be observed that the device 10 is secured to the bar A by means of a spring loaded clip. This arrangement provides greater durability in the securing arrangement, since there are no tightened components that wear readily. In addition, this arrangement permits immediate lateral adjustment of the device 10 and prevents over-tightening for securing onto the bar A.

Projecting upwardly from the base 11 transeversely thereto and in a direction opposite from the direction which the ears 12 and 13 project is a collar 26. Spaced from the coller 26 is a collar 27, which projects upwardly from the base 11 in parallel relation with the collar 26. Formed in the collars 26 and 27, respectively, are aligned bores 26a and 27a, which are disposed parallel to the base 11. Interposed between collars 26 and 27 is a micrometer or a calibrated dial, which has an internally threaded wall surrounding a cylindrical bore 30a extending between the bores 26a and 27a of the collars 26 and 27 and in alignment therewith.

Formed in the micrometer 30 concentric with the bore 30a is a chamber 301) (FIG. 2). Disposed within the chamber 30b and interengaging a wall 300 of the chamber 30b and the adjacent wall 26b of the collar 26 is a lock spring 31 that urges the calibrated dial 30 to remain fixed in an adjusted position until rotated by an operator.

Received by the bores 26a, 27a and 30a of the collar 26, collar 27 and micrometer 30, respectively, is an adjustment rod 32, which is made of suitable material, such as steel. The adjustment rod 32 is externally threaded and is in threaded engagement with the wall of the internally threaded cylindrical bore 30a of the micrometer 30. Through this arrangement, the adjustment rod 32 is supported for sliding movement in its axial direction by the collars 26 and 27. The micrometer 30 is supported by the adjustment rod 32 for rotation about the axis thereof, but remains fixedly located between the collars 26 and 27 against movement in the axial direction. Since the wall of the bore 30a of the micrometer 30 is in threaded engagement with the adjustment rod 32, rotation of the micrometer 30 moves the adjustment rod 32 in the axial direction. The calibrated dial 30 is marked so that precise and accurate micrometer settings for the adjustment rod 32 can be made.

The adjustment rod 32 has a flat upper surface 32a. Mounted on the collar 27 and disposed vertically is a screw 33 that engages the flat surface 32a of the rod 32 to prevent the adjustment rod 32 from rotating about its axis. Although the adjustment rod 32 moves or slides in the axial direction under the control of the micrometer 30, the adjustment rod 32 does not rotate about its axis. In lieu of a flat surface on the adjustment rod, a channel may be formed which receives a guide member. The guide member could be supported by the collar 27.

At one end of the adjustment rod 32 is fixedly secured a right angle bracket 35. Carried by the bracket 35 is a nut, not shown, and a bolt 36. Mounted on the bolt 36 for pivotal movement in a vertical plane is a stop 40. The stop 40 includes a pivot arm 40a that is carried by the bolt 36 for pivotal movement and a work support flange 4% that projects outwardly from the arm 40a. The weight of the flange 40b is greater than the weight of the arm 40a so that the stop 40 always tends to pivot in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. A Wall 40c on the arm 40a engages the bracket 35 to limit the rotation of the stop 40 in the counterclockwise direction.

The flange 40b includes right angular surfaces for supporting work. When the wall 400 of the stop 40 engages the bracket 35, one angular surface of the flange 40b is horizontal and the adjacent surface is vertical. The flange 40b includes a forward, flat, upright wall 40d for abutting against work.

From the foregoing, it is to be observed that the right angular surfaces of the flange 4017 are capable of supporting long work. The wall 40d may be employed for a straight setup without an additional straight edge. However, for long, flexible work, a straight edge is used in conjunction with the wall 40d. Further, the wall 40d may be used in connection with a reversed flange setup.

The micrometer 30 provides a precise and accurate adjustment for the location of the stop 40 through the adjustment rod 32. The micrometer 30 is self-locking through the spring 31. Another feature of the present invention is the ability of the stop 40 to be pivoted upwardly and inwardly about the pivot bolt 36 after alignment of the work and while the work is being formed or bent adjacent a flange thereof and the flange is moved upwardly and outwardly during the bending or forming operation. In this manner, the stop 40 is pivoted upwardly and outwardly by engagement with the flange of the work during the upward and inward movement of the flanged portion of the work. When the operation is completed and the work is removed, the stop 40 automatically return-s to its initial position under the force of gravity about the pivot bolt 36..

In the use and operation of the device 10, of the present invention for aligning sheet metal for bending, the horizontal bar A is spaced from the bending tool. At least two devices are mounted in parallel relation on the bar A so that the stops 40 are in horizontal alignment. This is accomplished by pivoting the clamping members 16 manually and positioning the bases '11 and the spring loaded clamping members 16 on opposite sides of the bar A.

The calibrated dials of the micrometers 30 are rotated to a predetermined setting to precisely and accurately locate the stops 40 relative to the bending or forming tool. At this time, the sheet metal is aligned with the stops 40 for setting up the work and the tool is operated to effect the bending or shaping of the sheet metal.

It is to be understood that modifications and variations of the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for aligning work comprising an externa ly threaded adjustment rod for movement in an axial direction, work engaging means supported by said adjustment rod for movement therewith, means mounting said work engaging means for pivotal movement relative to said adjustment rod in a vertical plane, said work engaging means being free to move upwardly and being arranged to engage said adjustment rod to limit the downward movement thereof to a location substantially parallel with said adjustment rod, and calibrated means disposed in threaded engagement with said adjustment rod in the axial direction to adjustably position said work engaging means.

2. A device for alignment work comprising an externally threaded adjustment rod, means supporting said adjustment rod for movement in an axial direction, a right angular flange supported by said adjustment rod for movement therewith, means mounting said right angular flange for pivotal movement relative to said adjustment rod, and calibrated means disposed in threaded engagement with said adjustment rod for moving said adjustment rod in the axial direction to adjustably position said work engaging means.

3. A device for aligning work comprising an externally threaded adjustment rod, means supporting said adjustment rod for movement in an axial direction, work engaging means mounted on said adjustment rod for movement therewith, calibrated means disposed in threaded engagement with said adjustment rod for moving said adjustment rod in the axial direction to adjustably position said work engaging means, a base supporting said adjustment rod supporting means and extending in a direction parallel to the axis of said adjustment rod, and clamping means pivotally mounted from said base for gripping a support disposed between said base and said clamping means.

4. A device for aligning work comprising an externally threaded adjustment rod, means supporting said adjustment rod for movement in an axial direction, work engaging means mounted on said adjustment rod for movement therewith, calibrated means disposed in threaded engagement with said adjustment rod for moving said adjustment rod in the axial direction to adjustably position said work engaging means, a base supporting said adjustment rod supporting means and extending in a direction parallel to the axis of said adjustment rod, clamping means pivotally mounted from said base for gripping a support disposed between said base and said clamping means, and resilient means interengaging said base and said clamping means for continuously urging said clamping means into gripping relation with the bar.

5. A device for aligning work comprising an externally threaded adjustment rod, means supporting said adjustment rod. for movement in an axial direction, work engaging means mounted on said adjustment rod for movement therewith, calibrated means disposed in threaded engagement with said adjustment rod for moving said adjustment rod in the axial direction to adjustably position said work engaging means, and a spring loaded clip attached to said adjustment rod supporting means for securing said device to a support.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 356,892 2/1887 Renshaw 33-170 826,883 7/1906 Prewett 33-164 1,105,549 7/1914 Cordier 33-170 1,480,522 1/1924 Ferguson 33l67 X 2,338,001 12/1943 La Vigne 33-170 2,791,872 5/1957 Wineka 248--298 X 3,069,778 12/1962 Schiler 33169 X ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner, 

4. A DEVICE FOR ALIGNING WORK COMPRISING AN EXTERNALLY THREADED ADJUSTMENT ROD, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID ADJUSTMENT ROD FOR MOVEMENT IN AN AXIAL DIRECTION, WORK ENGAGING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID ADJUSTMENT ROD FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, CALIBRATED MEANS DISPOSED IN THREADED ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ADJUSTMENT ROD FOR MOVING SAID ADJUSTMENT ROD IN THE AXIAL DIRECTION TO ADJUSTABLY POSITION SAID WORK ENGAGING MEANS, A BASE SUPPORTING SAID ADJUSTMENT ROD SUPPORTING MEANS AND EXTENDING IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAID ADJUSTMENT ROD, CLAMPING MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FROM SAID BASE FOR GRIPPING A SUPPORT DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID BASE AND SAID CLAMPING MEANS, AND RESILIENT MEANS INTERENGAGING SAID BASE AND SAID CLAMPING MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY URGING SAID CLAMPING MEANS INTO GRIPPING RELATION WITH THE BAR. 